What inspired rapid growth of competitive dart in Nakuru?
Lineup of dart boards used during the Eastern and Northern African Darts Championship at Lions Academy on 1st June 2025.
The rise of competitive darts in Nakuru County has been nothing short of remarkable, transforming the game from a casual pastime in pubs into a structured and respected sport attracting hundreds of players.
Once seen as a bar game enjoyed by a few enthusiasts, darts in Nakuru has evolved into a competitive and organized activity that now places the county among Kenya’s leading darts powerhouses.
What began as a few matches in local pubs has grown into a countywide movement with over 500 registered players, both men and women, representing clubs spread across Nakuru, Naivasha, Molo, Subukia, and Njoro.
Even clubs outside the county, such as Nyahururu Prisons and Kabarnet Darts Club, have chosen to affiliate with the Nakuru branch.
This rapid expansion has been driven by a shared desire to shift the image of darts from a leisure activity to a competitive sport with clear pathways for talent development.
Nakuru now produces some of the best dart players in Kenya and Africa.
Among them is Felix Kirwa, who finished runner-up at the African Darts Continental Championship, alongside top players like Sammy Njamba, Julius Ndung’u, and John Maroa, who have represented Kenya in global competitions.
Women players have also risen through the ranks, led by Millicent Wangui, Kenya’s number one–seeded player and two-time Africa Women Series champion.
Rising stars such as Daisy Yatir and Eddah Warui are also challenging stereotypes and inspiring more women to join the game.
Nakuru’s growth has been further accelerated by the establishment of the Flamingo Franchise, a professional darts outfit under the Africa Darts Group and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
This link to international darts has given local players opportunities for exposure and competition at a global level.
The branch’s active events calendar, including the Nakuru County League, Seeding Games, and the upcoming Kenya Open, has solidified the county’s reputation as a hub for competitive darts.
Beyond tournaments, the sport has become a social force, uniting players from different backgrounds and providing new opportunities for youth engagement.
While challenges such as limited funding and lingering stereotypes persist, Nakuru’s steady progress proves that darts has firmly outgrown its pub origins.
Through vision, dedication, and community spirit, the game has found a new home in Nakuru’s sports culture, a home where the flight of a dart now carries dreams of excellence, pride, and international glory.
According to Joseph Mwangi, secretary of the Nakuru County Darts Branch, this transformation began in earnest in 2018 when the Nakuru County Darts Branch, affiliated with the Kenya Darts Association (KDA), embarked on a mission to professionalize the sport and expand its reach.
Their efforts have not only built a strong administrative foundation but also inspired confidence among players and partners.
The result is a thriving darts scene where passion meets professionalism, and where tournaments now draw players from across Kenya and neighboring regions.